Head for constructing incandescent electric-lamp stems



Jan. 6. 5- 1,522,001

C. EISLER HEAD FOR CONSTRUCTING INCANDESCENT ELECTRIC LAMP ISTEMS.

Filed March 9, 1924 2 Sheets-Shee't '1 v INVgFNTOR v gar/e6 wF/e/ATTORNEY-Z37 Jan. 6. 1925. 1,522,001

c. El'sLER HEAD FOR CONSTRUCTING INCANDESCENT ELECTRIC LAMP SIEMS- FiledMarch 29. 1924 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 A TTORNE Y Patented Jan. 6, 1925. i

CHARLES EISLER, OF NEWARK, NEW

HEAD FOR CO'NSTR'U'CTING INCANDESGENT ELECTRIC-I'm STEMS.

Application filed March 29, 1924. Serial No. 702,763.

To all whom it may concern:

' Be it known that I, CHARLES EIsLER, a citizen of the United States,and a resident of Newark, county of Essex, and State of New Jersey, haveinvented a new and useful Improvement in Heads for ConstructingIncandescent Electric-Lamp Stems, of which the followingis aspecification.

. My invention relates to apparatus for the construction of.incandescent electric lamp stems, and particularly to a head forassembling and uniting the parts of stems to be used in tiplessincandescent electric lamps, that is to say, lamps having no sealing tipor teat in the head of the bulb.

, The stem s for such lamps are made up of,

four parts,

which, in the operation of the "device of the present invention, areheld and welded together, the product of such assembling and weldingoperation being collectively designated. as a stem. The stem partscomprise a piece of glass tubing flanged outwardly at one end anddesignated as a flare, a sealing oif tube inserted into the flare fromthe flanged end, a pair of electric current lead wires, and a glass rodor cane inserted in the flare from the opposite end thereof and servingto support the lamp filament.

In making an incandescent lamp stem, the

glass rod or cane is inserted a short distance into the flare throughits straight or inner end, the small diameter lass sealing off tube isinserted into the are through its flanged end up to about the glass rod,and the lead wires are passed through the length of the flare, so thatthey project a substantial distance from both ends thereof. lVith theparts so'held in assembled relation, heat is applied to the straight endof the flare and the heated parts are united by being pressed togetherwhile hot. While the closed portion of the flare is still hot, compressed air is forced inwardly through the sealing ofi tube, resultingin an aperture being blown in the wallof the flare and forming acontinuation .of the bore of the glass sealing off tube.

The completed stem' is adapted for use by incandescent lamp makers, who,after mounting the filament structure on the glass rod or cane andconnecting up the lead wires, insert the stem into the mouth of the lampbulb and seal it thereto'by application of heat. The air in the bulb isthen exhausted or replaced with a suitable gas parts making up 'wires,which is known as through the. aperture in the flare. The sealing 01ftube is sealed oif and the metallic socket portion of the lamp isinserted \in place thereon, completing the electric lamp. The presentinvention, however, relates only to the making of the stem, and is notconcerned with the subsequent steps of completing the lamp.

My improved device for making the tipless lamp stems, is known as ahead. In the machine in which these heads are preferably used, a numberof the heads are mounted on a.- rotating plate, and the successiveoperations in the making of the stems are performed as the revolvingplate brings each head into a particular position with respect to blowtorches and other devices mounted preferably on the machine base onwhich the revolving plate and the heads ,are mounted. Except at theloading and to for facilitating the successive operations,

such as by moving each head independently into the desired positions, orby moving the heating and other devices with respect to stationaryheads, 7 these movements. Such' machine as a whole is not of the presentinvention, which relates particularly to the heads for use in machinesof this general character.

An object of the invention is to provide means for efliciently bringingtogether and holding in assembly relation and uniting the the entirestem, all in one head, without resorting to a multiplicity of machinesand operations.

or by a combination of y I Another object is to provide a simple,

compact and inexpensivedevicewith a few simple adjustments for makingstems of various sizes and shapes, which could hereto-- fore beaccomplished only by expensive hand labor and an expenditure ofconsiderable time and effort.

One feature of the invention is a novel means for holding the sealingoif tubesu'spended in position in the flare during the operation ofclosing the flare end and embedding thereinv the tubing, rod and leadthe welding operation. This tube suspending device is so arranged thatthe operations of moving means broken away. Fig. 3 is a plan viewsameinto i positions for, pending thetube within the respectively, Isusflare, and for carrying same out of the way to permit re-.moval-ofthe completed stem, and of clamping and unolamping thetube-.may be carried' out manually in a simple manner and 7 preferablyby simple movements of one hand of the operator. While the device isdescribed herein as is understood that mechanical or other movement maybe employed for the same purpose,

and with the same result.

Other features of the invention will be referred to in the followingdescription.

. In the accompanying drawings, I have.

illustrated an embodiment of my invention,

-' but it is to be understood that the apparacross-section on the line5-5, Fig. 1.

of a stem head with the tube holding means in alignment with the otherstem parts and a a tube inserted therein. Fig. 4 is a plan view, withtheitube holding means swung into an out of the'way position. Fig. 5 isa Fig.

6 is a cross-section on the line6-6, Fig. 1. Fig. 7 is a front elevationof the pocket member for receiving the filament cane and lead wires.Fig. 8 is a cross-section of the pocket member on the line 8-8, Fig. 7

showing a completed stem in place therein Fig; 9 is a detail view of amodified form of pocket member, and Fig. 10 is a. cross-section of thetube holding means on the line 10-10, Fig. 3.

In general the operation of the device of my present invention is asfollows:

A glass rod is placed into the central bore of the pocket member, withits upper end projecting'somewhat therefrom, and a flare is insertedwith its flanged end uppermost -into a pair of clamping jaws and withits straight end resting on the pocket member, so that the rod extendsfor a short distance upwardly into the flare. Twol lead wires areinserted through the flare into smaller bores provided therefor in thepocket member, one om each si'deof the centralbore. A

. slender glass tube is placedin a jaw holder provided for this purposeand same is held in suspended position from above the flare,

with its lower end extending the'reinto.

Heat is applied to the lower end of the flare by a blowtorch and whenthe parts are 'sufiiciently hot, a pair of press aws compress the lowerend of the flare, closing it up and embedding therein the glasstube, rodand lead wires. Compressed air is then being operated manually, it

mas er forced inwardly into the glass tube, resulting in an aperturebeing blown in the flare wall in the vicinity of its closed end. Thestem is allowed to'cool slowly so as to avoid cracking, and is removedfrom. the stem head- Fora better understanding of my invention,reference may now be had to the drawings,"which show in'detailanembodiment of my invention.

The stem head frame 10 is of generally T-shape. Same is preferably ametal casting and comprises a shaft portion 12, adapted'to turn'in asuitable bearing .ina rotating plate or the like (not shown), and isprovided with a pinion 14 and a bearing collar 16. From the bearingcollar 16 a pair of separated standards 1 8, 18 extend upwardly and arejoined by the cross-head 20. The cross-head portion 20 is provided witha bore 22, and a bore 24 in alignment with bore 22 is provided in thecollar and shaft portion 16, '12 of frame member 10.

Means are provided for holding the glass cane 26 and lead wires 28, 28inplace, comprising a pocket member 30, adapted to be received in thebore or recess 22 in the cross head 20 of frame 10, and same may befastened therein by set screw 32. (Fig. 4). Pocket member 30 is taperedoff at each side of its upper end, as, shown at 34, 34, and has acentral bore 36 therein to receive the cane 26. Smaller bores 38, 38,one on each side of bore 36, are provided in pocket member 30 to receivethe lead wires 28, 28. The bore 36 of pocket ,member 30 is enlarged atits lower portion, as indicated at'40. Said enlarged bore part- 40receives the guide pipe 42, fastened in pocket member 30 by set screw44, and having a central bore 46 forming abore 36.

The guide pipe 42 isprovided with slidable gauge and stop devices forthe glass cane 26 and lead wires 28. Lead wires 28 preferably extendsomewhat beyond the end of the cane 26' to provide suflicient length formaking the filament connections. In the form shown, guide pipe 42-isprovided with a diametrically extending longitudinal slot 48. The stopor guide member 50 serving as a stop or gauge for the lead" wires 28 ispreferably of substantially cup form provided with a recess 52 and abottom opening 54 of form adapted to receive and slide on the guide pipe42. A'pin 56, preferably a cotter pin, extends through openings 58 inthe upper portion of cup 50 and through the slot48 in guide pipe 42.Such pin 56 serves two functions itacts as a stop'or gauge for the cane26.,"and also-serves to .position the bottom wall 60 off-recess 52 asuitable. distance beyond the end of Gene 26, so that the lead wires 28,extending to the bottom wall 60 of cup recess 52, may project for a.suitcontinuation of pocket member bore 36', length of mounted in bore 36of bores 38, 38

able length beyond the end of cane 26 and be suitably secured'to thefilament wires. Means, as the set screw 62, are provided for adjustablyholding. these parts in adjusted position. Any desired length of glasscane 26 with the suitable somewhat longer length of lead wires can besecured by moving the parts just described up or down on the guide pipe42 and securing them in place bythe set screw 62.

When it is desired, as with certain forms of lamps, to make stems havingno glass cane or a short one, and short lead wires, a pocket member 30,such as shown in Fig. 9, is used. Pocket member 30has a central bore 36through its entire length, and two smaller bores 38, 38, one on eachside of going only partially through the pocket member 30.- The depthgauges the length of the are receivedtherein, and glass cane received inbore agauge pin- 56 slidably and fastened therein in by a. setscrew. Atransis provided in pocket member lead wires which the length of the 36-is gauged by any desired position verse slot 48 30' to assist in settingpin .56 for gauging the length bore 36". 1

The means for holding the flare in place comprlse a pair pivoted at 68,68 working in slots 70, 7 0 in the horizontal arms 72, 72 of thecrosshead member 20. The clamping jaws 74, 74 of clamping levers 64,

of the glass cane entering 66 have V-sha-ped notches 76 in theirgripping faces, in which the flare 78 is held. Clamping jaws 74, 74 areremovably fastened to clamping levers 64, 66 by screws 80, so thatflares of varying tours can be clamped therein by simply replacing jaws74 with jaws of the appropriate size or shape. The pivoting portion 82of clamping lever 66 has a tooth 84, which registers with a notch 86inpivoting portion 88 of clamping lever 64, so that both clamp-. inglevers 64, 66 are operated upon manually pressing together knobs 90, 90.Spring 92, hooked into perforated lugs 94, 94 on clamping levers 64, 66,serves to exert a spring tension on the clamping levers 64,66 to-hold aflare inserted therein, and also to return clamping levers 64, 66 totheir closed position when the flare is removed therefrom. The dottedlines in Fig. 1 indicate the fully opened position of clamping levers64, 66 ready for insertion of the flare 78 therein.

The means for closing the straight end of -the flare after same isheated and embedding therein the rod, tubeand lead wires, comprise a.pair of pressing jaws 96, 96, pivoted at 98, 98 on extensions 100, 100on the crosshead portion 20. Press jaws 96, 96 are actuated by links102, 102 pivotally connected at of clamping levers 64, 66, in thestandards 18, 18, and

diameters and conto cross-bar 104'. Bar 104 is mounted on slide bar 106,which slides in recess 24 in the shaft portion 12 of frame 10. To closepress jaws '96, 96, as shown in solid lines in Fig. 2, slide bar 106 ispushed upwardly, as by a cam 01' other means, and when the upwardpressure on slide bar 106 is removed, the press jaws 96, 96 will open bygravity into the position shown in dotted lines in Fig. 2, due to thefact that the link 102 is pivoted to the press jaw 96 at a point welloutside the pivot point 98 and never comes to or passes. a dead center.Thus the necessity of an additional spring or other device to return thepress jaws 96, 96 to their open posiadapted to turn in a sleeve 116.upon the manual application of comparatively light pressure thereto.mounted to turn in bearings 118 and 120 in extensions 122, 124respectively of frame 10, but is so arranged as to require for itsturning the application of a. considerably increased manual pressure, ascompared with that sufficient for turning shaft 114.

One mode of securing this providing sleeve 116 with notched out parts orrecesses 126, 128, which are adapted to beengaged by a ball 130 springpressed toward sleeve 116 by spring 132'located in a recess 134 inextension 124 of frame 10. In this way the holder 112,is releasabiy heldin position over the pocket member 30 and in swung away positionrespectively.

Tube holder 112 performs three separate and distinct functions makingthe stem; first, clamping and holding the glass tube 111 during thewelding operation,- as shown in Fig.

Such sleeve 116 is itself result is by during the course of- 3, second,re- I lease of the glass tube and swinging laterally out of its placeover the pocket member 30 at the completion of the welding operation, asshown in Fig. 4, so that the stem may be lifted out'of. thepocketmember;

and third, return of the holder 112 with its jaw closed, into positiondirectly over the clamping jaws and in readiness to be opened to takeand hold the tube for making the next lamp stem. I j The manualactuating device for the tube holder is so arranged and constructed thatits several movements may be performed by the use of one hand or digit.Said tube holder 112 is manually actuated by a crank handle 136 fastenedtothe lower portion of above yoke 140, and turns with shaft 114.

A movable jaw 150 is pivoted in slot 152 formed between the arms 154,154 of yoke 140, and is connected to crank 146 by link 156, so thatpartial rotation of shaft 114 causes opening and closing of movable jaw150 against fixed jaw 142.

A stop for the return movement of pivoted jaw 150 is provided, as bysame coming into contact with the base of the slot 152 in yoke 140. Thepivoted jaw 150 is normally.

held toward or against fixed jaw 142 by means of a spring 158 encirclingthe lower portion of shaft 114, and held by one end in recess 160oficrank handle 136 and by the other end being received in a recess 162in extension 164 on frame 10.

-To perform the first movement of holder 112, namely, the insertiontherein of a. glass tube 111, handle 136' is "moved inwardly slightlyagainst the tension of spring 158,

causing a partial turning of shaft 114 in its sleeve 116, and causingpivoted jaw 150 to move away from fixed jaw 142 and the glass tube 111is manually inserted between the jaws 142 and 150. Upon release ofhandle 136, the aws with the glass tube 111 in place therein are heldclosed by spring 158. In this first movement, sleeve 116 and yoke 140fastened thereto remain stationary, the only parts set in motion beingshaft 114, crank 1,46 fastened thereto, link 1556 and movable jaw 150. II

Upon completion of the welding operation, it is necessary not only toopen jaws 142 and 150 to release glass tube 111', which is now a part ofthe completed stem, but

also to swing holder 112 laterally away from the clamping jaws 7 4 sothat the completed stemniay be lifted out of the stem head.

The first of,these functions is accomplished by'an application of lightmanual pressure.

to crank handle 136, which imparts rotation to shaft 114 to open jaws142 and 150 to release rod 111. This brings movable aw 150 into contactwith the base of slot 152 in yoke 140, .and when increased manualpressure is applied to handle 136 to rotate shaft 114, movable jaw 150bears hard against the base of slot 152 causing yoke 140 to turn withit, thereby overcoming the holding effect of spring tensionedball 130,which was in recess 126, and rotating sleeve 116 in itsbearings 1'18,120, whereby holder 112 is swung into the position shown in Fig. 4 inwhich it is awayfrom" over the flare clamping jaws 74, 74. Holder 112'is releasably held, in this swung away position by ball 130engaging-thesecond recess 128 in sleeve 116.

.136 is moved outwardly or away from the stem head by application ofpressure thereto. The rotation of shaft 114 in the direction opposite tothat when opening, jaws 142 and 150, causes movable jaw 150 to bear hardagainst fixed jaw 142, thereby moving yoke 140 and sleeve 116-with. it,against the pressure of spring t'ensiojned ball 130,'which is moved outofrecess-1'28. and engages .rece ss 126-when the holder 112 is in thefully returned position.) Agpositioning stop 166 is adjustably fastenedto'sleeve 116 by set screw 168, so that when holder 112 is in positionto hold the tube 111 in alignment with the clamping jaws. 74, as duringthe welding operation, itsfiat face 166' abuts against the flat-surface170 of extension 17 2 on frame 10, as clearly shown in Fig. 5...'

The 'operation of a machine comprising a plurality of stem heads is verysimple. Thestem heads containing the stem parts spring clamped in placeas above described are preferably axially rotated, as by the pinion 14on the shaft-portion 12, during the making of the stems, except whenthey reach the emptying and reloading station. This is so as to insureuniform heating of the flare and stem parts preliminary to and duringthe welding operation, as well as during the annealing of the stem afterthe welding operation and before removal thereof from the stem head.This reduces to a minimum the possibility of-cracking of the stems"and-results in the producfion of a high-gradeproduct with but smalloss.

When the stem head reaches the discharge and loading station, it ceasesits axial rotation and the operator removes the completed stem andreloads thehead by manual insertion of a glass rod and two lead wires inthe pocket member, a flare between the clamping jaws, and a glass tubein the tube holder. The loaded stem head now begins its axial rotationand is moved away from the operator and into-position before one or moreblow torches, where the stem parts are given a preliminary heating. Thestem head is next moved into positionbefore a istronge r' fiame and whenthe flare end to be closed and the stem parts are sufiiciently hot, thepress jaws are'momentarily forced together by a cam or other means,closing the flare end and embedding therein the rod, tube and leadwirns.'- Compressed air is forced inwardly through, the tube until anaperture is blown in the flare wall and communicating with the bore ofthe glass tube. For annealing the stem,'it is brought before one orimoreblow torch stations havinitial movement ing flames of decreasingintensity, so as to avoid uneven or too rapid cooling of the stem. lVhenthe stem head with the completed and partially cooled stem thereinreaches-the discharge and loading station, the operator manually removesthe completed stem and reloads the stem head with parts for making thenext stem, and this cycle is repeated indefinitely.

I claim 1. A turnable holder for the sealing tubes of incandescent lampstems having means for releasably locking it in two positions, a springclosed clamp carried by said holder, means for turning the holder intoone or another of such positions. and means for opening the clampagainst its spring by of the holder turning means.

2. In a holder for a lamp stem part comprising a pair of jaws, meansincluding .a shaft for operating said jaws upon manual application oflight pressure to permit insertion of a stem part therebetween, and

means including a sleeve in which said shaft is mounted to turn to alimited extent for bodily moving the holder out of alignment with theother stem parts upon manual application of greater turning movement tosaid shaft. I

3. In a holder for a lamp stem part comprising a pair of jaws, meansincluding a shaft for operating said jaws upon manual application oflight pressure to permit insertion of a stem part therebetween, andmeans including a sleeve in which said shaft 'is mounted to turn to alimited extent for bodily moving the holder out of alignment with theother stem parts upon a continued manualapplication to said shaft ofgreater turning movement. 4Q In a holder for a lamp stem partcomprisinga pair of jaws, means including a shaft for operating saidjaws upon manual application of light pressure to permit insertion of astem part therebetween. means including a sleeve in which said shaft ismounted to turn to a limited extent for bodily moving the holder out ofalignment with the other stem parts, and means for releasably retardingthe movement of said sleeve during the application of light pressure.

'5. In a holder fora lamp stem part'comprising a pair of jaws. meansincluding a shaft for operating said jaws upon manual application oflight pressure to permit in ,sertion of a stem part therebetween, meansincluding a sleeve in which said s ft is mounted to turn to a limitedextent for bodilymoving the holder out of alignment with theother stemparts, and means including a spring tensioned ball for releasablyretarding the movementof said sleeve during. the application of lightpressure. f

prising a fixed and a 6. In a head for assembly and welding together ofincandescent electric lamp stem parts, a spring closed clamp for holdinga stem flare, a pocket member for holding a filament cane and a pair oflead wires to extend within the flare, and a tube holder swmgable intopositions over and laterally R gether of incandescent lamp stem parts, a

flare clamp for receiving and holding a flare, a pocket member forreceiving and holdlng a filament cane and lead wires, and a tube holdermovable into and out of alignment with said flare clamp and pocketmember.

8. In a stem head for incandescent lamp stem making, a rotatable clampcarrying member, a tube holding clamp carried thereby comprising apivoted jaw, and means for initially turning said jaw on its pivot andthereafter rotating the clamp carrying memben 9. A holder for a lampstem part comprising a pair of jaws, a sleeve and a shaft rotatingtherein, means operated from said shaft for opening said j awsby a lightmanual application of pressure, and holder turning mean-s operated fromsaid shaft whereby a continued application of greater pressure "willcause the lfolder to move bodily out of alignment with the other stemparts.

10. In a holder for a lamp stem part comprising a pair of jaws, a'sleeveand a shaft rotating therein, means on said shaft whereby uponapplication of light manual pressure the jaws are operated, and wherebyupon continued application of increased pressure the holder is movedbodily out of allgnment with the other stem parts, and

takes place in advance of the sleeve movement.

11. In a holder for a lamp stem part comprising a fixed anda pivotedjaw, a sleeve and a shaft rotating therein, means on said shaft foractuating the pivoted jaw upon application of light manual pressure, andmeans on .said sleeve whereby upon continued application of increasedmanual pressure to the pivoted jaw causes the holder to move bodily outof alignment withthe other stem parts; I

12. In a holder for a lamp stem part compivoted jaw, a sleeve,

a shaft rotating therein and a sprlng on said a shaft, means von saidShaft for actuating the tension of said pivoted jaw againstxfhe of lightmanual spring upon application pressure, and means on said sleevewhereby continued application of, greater manual pressure to said shaft,the pivoted jaw is actuated to cause the holder to move bodily out ofalignment with the other stem parts.

13. In a holder for a lamp stem part comprising a fixed and a pivotedjaw, a sleeve,

' sleeve whereby-upon continued application of greater manual pressureto said shaft, the open pivoted jaw causes the holder to move bodily outof alignment with the other stem parts, and means comprising aball and 4of incandescent lamp stem parts, a sprlng closed clamp for holding aglass flare with a spring to retard the movement of said sleeve and holdsame-in the positions into which it is'movec'L.

l4. A holder for a lamp stempart comprlsinga sleeve, ayoke and a-fixedjaw on said sleeve, a'shaft adapted to rotate in said sleeve, a springon said shaft, and a movable jaw pivoting in said yoke and registeringwith the fixed jaw, a crank on said shaft, and a link connecting saidcrank with said movable-jaw, whereby'upon application of lightmanualpressure to turn said shaft the movable jaw is turned on-its-pivot against the tension of said spring and upon con-; tinuing andincreasing thelmanual pressure the movable jaw is brought intoengagement with said yoke. member carrying the holder with it outofalignment with the other lamp stem parts. 40 prising a pair of'jaws, asleeve having re.-..

15. A holder for a lamp stem part com- I cesses thcrem a shaft rotatingin saidfsleeve,

I a ball, adapted to enter the recesses inthe application part clamp,

sleeve, and a'spring adapted to hold said ball toward the sleeverecesses, thereby retarding rotationv of said sleeve and requiring ofsubstantially high manual pressure to dislodge said ball from theparticular recess in which it is seated.

16. Ina head for assembly and welding together of incandescent lamp stemparts, a flare clamp and pocket member for receiving and holding aflare, a filament cane and lead wires, a tube holder comprisingapair ofspring closed clamping jaws movable to 'bring said clamping jaws intoandoutof alignment with said pocket member, and 'a common operatingmeans for opening the jaws against the tension of the spring and formoving the holder tocarry the jaws thereof laterally away from the.pocket member. I v

17 In a head for assembly and Welding its-flaredend up and its straightend down, means for holding a filament cane and filaholder comprising arotatable sleeve-springv holdheld in two positions and having thereon aclamp supporting member carrying a twoa cranked shaft extending throughthe sleeve and arranged uponbeing turned to first actuate the clamp inthe clamp supporting member and thereafter in a continuation of likemovement to effect the turning-of the sleeve to bring the clampsupporting. member. and clamp thereon laterally out;

of position over the flare holding. clamp.

In testimony whereof, I have signed my nameheret'o. Y g

fonnntns sienna;

